An update of recent legislative activity by Pennsylvania House Democrats

May 9, 2008

PASSED THE HOUSE

King bill to continue Rx coverage for seniors passes unanimously in the House  

The House has unanimously passed legislation introduced by Rep. Chris King, D-Bucks, to ensure that senior citizens enrolled in Pennsylvania's PACE and PACENET programs do not lose their prescription drug coverage because of this year's Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. King's proposal (H.B. 2345) would guarantee that seniors currently enrolled in PACE and PACENET would remain eligible, regardless of whether the Social Security COLA pushes their income above eligibility limits for the programs. The bill would help about 15,000 Pennsylvania seniors keep their prescription coverage.

"I am pleased that my colleagues realized the importance of this bill," King said. "I urge swift passage in the Senate so that thousands of Pennsylvania seniors can continue to receive the prescription coverage they rely on through PACE and PACENET."

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House passes Parker proposal to expand business development opportunities

Legislation introduced by Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Phila., that would have a significant impact on business and economic development across Pennsylvania, moved one step closer to becoming law as members of the state House passed the proposal and sent it to the state Senate for consideration. The measure (H.B. 2297), which is part of Gov. Ed Rendell's economic stimulus package, would expand and extend the life of the Keystone Opportunity Zone program, the state's tax abatement law that has been highly successful in creating and retaining tens of thousands of jobs and generating nearly $7 billion in economic development opportunities over the last decade.

"Since its inception in 1998, the KOZ program has spurred billions of dollars in economic development revenue and has dramatically increased job growth, all the while preserving current jobs and maintaining employment in communities across Pennsylvania," Parker said. "Through my proposal, we can expand this program and continue to invest in retooling old and abandoned industrial sites and preparing them for quality business development. It's a win-win proposal because it is good for our communities and great for our economy."

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House passes Walko bill that would help nonprofits raise more money through bingo

The House of Representatives has passed a bill authored by Rep. Don Walko, D-Allegheny, that would update Pennsylvania's limits on how much nonprofit organizations can earn from bingo games. Walko's bill (H.B. 2204) would make several changes, including increasing the maximum payout per day from $4,000 to $10,000; allow organizations to have bingo up to four days a week; allowing progressive jackpots to increase by $10,000 per day, up to a limit of $50,000; allowing the use of handheld electronic bingo cards; allowing the leasing of bingo halls and compensation for professionals to run games; and removing limits on advertising.

"This legislation would modernize the way nonprofits raise funds in our state and update restrictions that have held them back,” Walko said. “These changes would enable nonprofits such as volunteer fire companies and churches to expand their fund-raising capacity. With expanded gaming in Pennsylvania, these changes are more important than ever before.”

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COMMITTEE ACTION

House panel OKs bill requiring state to keep local officials informed of projects

The House State Government Committee has approved legislation introduced by Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr., D-Northumberland/Montour/Columbia, that would require state agencies to notify local officials when they issue a permit for a local construction project. Belfanti said his legislation (H.B. 146) would specifically require the state to notify a local government of any project taking place in its jurisdiction that requires a Department of Environmental Protection or other state agency permit.

"The purpose of this legislation is to ensure proper communication between state and local officials on projects that can impact the safety and health of local residents," Belfanti said. "Projects that can affect river or stream banks, sewage and water lines, and local roads and bridges can mean potential trouble for municipalities if those municipalities don't know what could go wrong and how to respond in an emergency. Local officials have a right to know when and where these state-authorized projects are taking place and what potential impact they could have on the lives, property and safety of local residents."

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Shimkus' Peggy's Law moving forward in the House

The House Appropriations Committee has sent to the full House for consideration legislation introduced by Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, that would help to protect senior citizens from becoming victims of neglect when in long-term care facilities. House Bill 2114 would require attending and primary physicians to disclose any financial or ownership interest in a long-term care facility to prospective and current residents and their legal representatives.

"Authorities have told us that Peggy's cancer advanced to the point where she had an open sore on her breast. It spread to her lungs, her liver and her bones," Shimkus said. "In addition, she was neglected while at the personal care home. Her hair was dirty and matted, and she was left to lie in her own filth. No one should end up like this."

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Longietti bill on premium refunds endorsed by House Insurance Committee

A proposal introduced by Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, that would close a loophole regarding refunds for canceled Medicare Supplement insurance policies, was unanimously endorsed by the state House Insurance Committee this week. Longietti said the bill (H.B. 1959) would require insurance companies to refund the unused premiums to insured people who cancel their Medicare Supplement policy in favor of other insurance coverage. Longietti said the legislation was prompted by a constituent who contacted his office after learning that state law did not require insurers to provide refunds for unused Medicare Supplement premiums.

"One of my constituents called me and told me about her situation – she canceled her Medicare Supplement coverage for a different, cheaper plan recommended by her insurance agent that would save her almost $1,200 in premiums," Longietti said. "The insurance company refused to refund the unused premium from the canceled policy, around $800, and after seeking advice from the Insurance commissioner, she was told that nothing could be done because there was no law that required the refund.

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BILL INTRODUCTIONS

Preston bill would ban toxic toys from shelves in Pa.

Rep. Joe Preston, D-Allegheny, chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, announced that he will introduce legislation that would ban toys and other children's products containing toxic chemicals from store shelves in Pennsylvania. Preston's bill would specifically regulate the sale, manufacture or distribution of items such as toys, bibs and pacifiers that contain harmful chemicals such as lead, arsenic or plasticizers known as phthalates.

"Parents have come forward in droves with horror stories of children being poisoned by seemingly harmless, everyday objects," Preston said. "While efforts have been made to warn consumers about the chemicals found in toys, we need to take the next step. Under my bill, Pennsylvania would join 29 other states that have banned toxic toys from their shelves."

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King introduces bill to freeze property taxes for senior citizens 

Rep. Chris King, D-Bucks, introduced legislation (H.B. 2502) that would freeze property taxes for senior citizens who meet certain age and income guidelines. To qualify for the rate freeze, senior citizens 65 or older would have to have a household income of $55,000 or less. Property taxes would freeze at the rate they are assessed the year the homeowner turns 65.

 "It's important to ensure that seniors who have paid taxes their entire lives have relief against inflation that could force them to sell their homes," King said. "My bill provides property tax relief as a way to keep seniors in their homes while still being able to contribute to the local tax base." 

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Shapiro bill intended to reduce HIV transmission, help save newborns' lives

Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, recently introduced a bill to reduce the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, from a mother to her newborn baby. Shapiro's proposal would make HIV screening a routine part of prenatal care for pregnant women.

"We can save the lives of newborns in Pennsylvania by updating our prenatal testing requirements and bringing them into compliance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists," Shapiro said.

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Gibbons introduces bill to affect term length and limit for state legislators

Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Lawrence/Beaver/Butler, has introduced legislation that would amend the state constitution to increase state representatives' terms to four years and state senators' terms to six years. The bill would also impose term limits on state legislators. Gibbons said that under his legislation, H.B. 2500, state representatives could serve up to three consecutive terms for a total of 12 years of service. State senators could serve two consecutive terms for a total of 12 years of service.

"My constituents often say they are amazed that our term as representatives is for only two years," Gibbons said. "The length of the current term makes it hard for new members to begin accomplishing first-term legislative goals before finding themselves running again for re-election."

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New redistricting reform legislation seeks to open process

Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton/Lehigh, has introduced new redistricting reform legislation that would create a more fair and open process for legislative reapportionment. House Bill 2420, which was developed with the assistance of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters and Common Cause of Pennsylvania, would require redistricting of Pennsylvania's legislative and congressional districts to be conducted by the Legislative Reference Bureau. The preliminary plan developed by the LRB would be open for public comment at a series of five public hearings around the state. The hearings would be conducted by a bipartisan redistricting commission, the function of which is advisory only. Based upon the public input that is received, the LRB would develop a revised plan, which would go to the General Assembly for a vote. If the revised plan is rejected by either the House or the Senate, the LRB would develop a final plan and re-submit it to the legislature for a vote. The plans could not be changed by the legislature.

"Our goal is to take the politics out of the redistricting process," Samuelson said. "Changing the way districts are drawn in Pennsylvania to an open and nonpartisan process is a long-term reform that has lasting impact on our democracy. Our current process could be described as gerrymandering. We need fundamental change. We need to open up the process and put redistricting in the hands of a non-partisan entity."